Regular Cardiologist Visits Significantly Improve Outcomes for Heart Failure Patients

A recent large-scale study published in the European Heart Journal highlights the critical importance of consistent cardiology follow-up for individuals living with heart failure. The research reveals that only about 60% of heart failure patients see a cardiologist at least once annually, despite evidence that such visits can greatly reduce mortality risk.

The study, presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2025 and conducted by French researchers led by Dr. Guillaume Baudny and Professor Nicolas Girerd, analyzed data from over 650,000 French heart failure patients diagnosed within the past five years. Their findings demonstrated that patients who had regular consultations with a cardiologist—specifically, at least once a year—were approximately 24% less likely to die within the following year compared to those without such follow-up.

The researchers developed a risk stratification model considering recent hospitalizations and diuretic use, common indicators of heart failure severity. For patients not recently hospitalized and not on diuretics, one annual visit to a cardiologist was optimal, reducing the death risk from 13% to 6.7%. Patients on diuretics or with recent hospitalizations required more frequent visits—two to three times annually—to achieve the greatest survival benefits.

While the study identifies associations rather than direct causation, the findings strongly suggest that increased engagement with cardiology specialists can improve patient outcomes. The research underscores the need for healthcare systems worldwide to ensure timely cardiology referrals, particularly for high-risk heart failure patients.

The study also explored demographic disparities, noting that women and older adults are less likely to see a cardiologist, despite often presenting with better overall outcomes. These insights emphasize the importance of broadening access and adherence to specialist care for all heart failure patients.

In conclusion, the authors advocate for integrating routine cardiology follow-up into standard heart failure management, similar to protocols in cancer care, utilizing simple, cost-effective criteria to identify patients who would benefit most from specialist intervention. Future plans include interventional trials to confirm these observational findings and extend research to other countries with diverse healthcare systems.

This study highlights a vital opportunity to reduce mortality in heart failure—making regular specialist visits a key component of optimal care.